Position Summary:

The Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS) supports the administration of The Guthrie Clinic's Quality Programs, with a focus on the New York regional quality programs. This Regional QIS position supports its quality of care improvements and patient safety activities, the QIS serves as a facilitator, advisor and advocate to patients, providers, and the community. In supporting TGC's quality of care improvement activities, the position provides support through the coordination of collection, compilation, and aggregation of data. This position also provides project management services for the implementation and training of new systems, mining of new and existing systems and processes for actionable data and acting where appropriate.

This position directly reports to the Systems Director, Quality & Performance Improvement.

Education, License & Cert:

A Bachelors' Degree in Project Management, Process/Performance Improvement, Health Implementation, Data Analytics, Systems Science, or the like. (Required)

Healthcare experience preferred

Master's degree preferred

A Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) preferred; the CPHQ must be obtained within 3 years of employment. (Required)

Experience:

Required Skills

Demonstrated

• • Project Management, Analytical, Customer Service, Computer, Audit Function, Organization, Communication and Data Analysis skills
• • A minimum of 5 years' experience in project management, quality, process/performance improvement or in a healthcare setting preferred.
• • Execution of quality improvement projects specifically relevant to improvements that addressed quality of care concerns. (Required)
• • Knowledge of applicable healthcare quality, patient safety, lean/six sigma, project management, information systems, change management or statistical methods preferred.
• • Has minimum 2 years' experience managing a team in a healthcare setting preferred.
    

Essential Functions:

• • Maintain understanding of current best practice associated with improvements of quality and patient safety systems/processes. Use of information to appropriately assess gaps between current state and best practice. Recommend changes and revisions to any processes that impact quality and performance improvement.
• • Ability to facilitate and lead change initiatives and remain consistent/within scope of job function and duties. Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization. Provides resources and skills required to improve performance within the organization.
• • Routinely evaluates indicators and reports to appropriate stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement. Develops and/or directs ongoing performance improvement initiatives while coordinating and standardizing practices.
• • Perform observational audits and medical record analysis as needed as part of the quality audit function.
• • Use verbal and written communication skills to establish and maintain effective relationships, facilitate multi‐disciplinary teams, and produce written and/or verbal reports. Use knowledge of team process and collaboration to increase effectiveness of workgroups and committees. Develop strong team relationships with staff members in similar roles.
• • Maintain thorough understanding of the requirements associated with regulatory, quality reporting, and national quality standards/strategies. Responsible for the interpretation of quality standards and staying current with evolving quality reporting requirements (VBP, MIPS, Regulatory, Laws, etc.)
• • Apply knowledge in quality improvement methodology to identify, lead, and consult with others for improvement projects and ongoing initiatives. Use a variety of tools and methodologies appropriately to achieve results in improving care and services, including PDSA.
• • Actively involve other departments, including but not limited to the Patient Safety, Clinical Data Informatics, Clinical Systems, Case Management, Regulatory Compliance, Population Health, Value Based Reimbursement, Policy Management, Clinical Service Departments and other clinical leaders to lead, develop, and implement quality improvement projects that support quality initiatives and quality concerns.
• • Assist in the coordination and facilitation of Quality Committees that drive quality improvement under the Governance structure.

Other Duties:

Performs other duties as assigned and within scope of job function. In addition to the essential functions listed above, the following duties are an expectation of this role:

• • Travel for this position is sometimes required.
• • Actively participates to move the team toward the completion of goals.
• • Always exhibits a high degree of professionalism and decorum consistent with Guthrie values
• • Makes procedural or process suggestions for achieving team goals or performing team functions; helps to determine the necessary resources or assists in identifying obstacles to remove
• • Listens to and fully involves key stakeholders in team decisions and actions; values and uses individual's differences and talents. Communicates important and/or relevant information with the team.
• • Supports co-workers, patients, vendors, and partners.
• • Works actively to resolve conflict and escalates concerns appropriately.
• • Restates the opinions of others to clarify understanding.
• • Presents information effectively in a variety of settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports, and superiors.
• • Actively listens and is open to feedback. Provides fair and constructive feedback to others.
• • Keeps team members and key stakeholders adequately informed.
• • Displays original thinking and creativity to generate suggestions for improving satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness.
• • Meets challenges with resourcefulness and solution orientation.
• • Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• • Tries new approaches when problem solving, seeking ideas or suggestions from others as appropriate.

It is understood that this description is not intended to be all‐inclusive and that other duties may be assigned as necessary in the performance of this position.

Joining the Guthrie team allows you to become a part of a tradition of excellence in health care. In all areas and at all levels of Guthrie, you’ll find staff members who have committed themselves to serving the community.

The Guthrie Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer that welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace.

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit, integrated, practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of more than 500 physicians and 302 advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities. Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.